2017 Cap de Faugeres
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Cap de Faugères is very nicely balanced for the year. There is just enough freshness and density of fruit to cover the slightly grainy, vegetal note that lurks beneath. The 2017 is rich, boisterous, super-expressive and inviting. I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later. Tasted two times.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cap de Faugeres (a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a little sluggish to begin, revealing subtle notions of baked black cherries, warm plums and boysenberries plus hints of tilled soil, bay leaves and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant with lovely freshness and well played, soft tannins, finishing savory.
The 2017 Cap de Faugères has a well defined bouquet with blackberry, light minty aromas and a touch of undergrowth, superior to how it showed out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, just a little bitter in the mouth with a slight vegetal note that pokes out on the finish (although a second bottle tasted elsewhere displayed less of this trait, and this is reflected in my score.)
From a larger site in the Castillon region, the 2017 Chateau Cap De Faugeres is outstanding, and this estate is just about a no-brainer purchase as it seems to deliver the goods in every vintage. Lots of blackcurrant fruit, notes of sandalwood, tobacco leaf, and spice, medium to full-bodied richness, and a rounded, layered mouthfeel, as well as plenty of minerality, make for a brilliant Castillon. Based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in casks, drink it any time over the coming 10-12 years.